World Environment Day 2019: EAM S Jaishankar plants saplings, world leaders and personalities send in their appeals

World leaders, personalities and celebrities have posted a range of messages urging people to protect our Environment, as the globe observes World Environment Day on Wednesday

The occasion is observed on June 5 each year and focuses on encouraging awareness and action for the protection of our environment. First held in 1974, its main aim is to raise awareness on emerging environmental issues, from marine pollution, human overpopulation, and global warming, to sustainable consumption and wildlife crimes.

The theme for 2019 is "Beat Air Pollution"

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi  tweeted on this World Environment Day,

READ | World Environment Day 2019: #BeatAirPollution gathers momentum as countries across the world find ways to tackle the hazard

Secretary-General of the UN, Antonio Guterres also shared a tweet,

Here is the tweet:

Newly appointed External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and MoS V Murleedharan planted saplings on the occasion:

Film Actor Akshay Kumar also tweeted regarding the harmful effects of Air pollution,

Air pollution in India is a serious issue, ranking higher than smoking, high blood pressure, child and maternal malnutrition, and risk factors for diabetes.

At least 140 million people in India regularly breathe air that has pollutant levels 10 times or more above the WHO safe limit, while 13 of the world's 20 cities with the highest annual levels of air pollution are in India.

Actress Dia Mirza also tweeted on Air pollution,

Here is the tweet:

Here are some other tweets:

An Earth Anthem penned by poet Abhay K is sung to celebrate World Environment Day.

"Our cosmic oasis, cosmic blue pearl,
the most beautiful planet in the universe.
All the continents and all the oceans, 
United we stand as flora and fauna,
United we stand as species of one earth.
Different cultures, beliefs and ways,
we are humans, the earth is our home.
All the people and the nations of the world,
all for one and one for all.
United, we unfurl the blue marble flag".